Guan played in the Australian Open in December and opened with an 82 at The Lakes in Sydney. He bounced back with a 70 the next day, though the first-round score was enough to imagine what kind of number waits on the 7,445-yard course at Augusta National, where just getting to the slick, contoured putting surfaces is part of the challenge.

"I would say I'm not long enough, but I think I'm still all right in this golf course," Guan said. "And I drive a little bit longer in Thailand than here, but I think I'm still all right, not a really serious problem."

At least he's finding the right kind of help.

A friend at his home course in China knows Crenshaw and passed along the message that the kid wanted to play a practice round with him. Crenshaw gladly obliged, and was impressed with what he saw. Guan did not go wire-to-wire in Thailand on accident.

Crenshaw studied his touch, balance and rhythm, and he tried to show him the nuances of the slopes on the greens.

"It was fascinating to see," Crenshaw said.

Guan planned to stay in the Crow's Nest on Monday night, the tiny quarters set aside for the six amateurs in the field this week. He has been spending long days at Augusta in the week leading to the Masters, not leaving until twilight on Saturday.

And he was back on the course Sunday, playing nine holes and heading to the practice round. He was startled by a familiar voice.

"There he is!" Watson bellowed in his direction. After a hearty handshake, Watson said to him, "Working hard?"

Guan nodded.

"GOOD!" Watson replied, flashing his gap-tooth grin.

The 30,000 fans on the course Monday didn't seem to bother Guan on the first official day of practice. Woods played 14 holes on Sunday with Stricker, and then returned Monday afternoon to play with Dustin Johnson, with Guan tagging along.

"It's frightening to think that he was born after I won my first Masters," Woods said two weeks ago at Bay Hill.

This is not the first time Woods has seen the Chinese teenager. He was at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai a few years ago, and during the pro-am Guan was in a group of juniors who played with Woods on the par-3 17th hole. Woods stood to the side amazed, not only at such a polished swing, but the composure playing before a thousand people.

Guan has been looking up to Woods since he was 3 or 4 years old, and "it's pretty exciting to watch him."

"I played with him twice in the past couple years, and he gives me many advice and I will say every time I play with him, I feel a lot better and give myself some confidence and it's very good," Guan said.

Nicolas Colsaerts is making his Masters debut. The Belgian, however, has the experience of playing major championships and a Ryder Cup last year. Plus, he's 30.